September 19, 2002

Great Wall and Temple of Heaven

We started off the day with another huge buffet breakfast. Rebecca picked us up at 830. We traveled to the Jade outlet, or market. We bargained for a jade horse sculpture and a tension relief roller for Jeanne. We then traveled to the one of five locations you can go to climb the wall “The Circle of the Valley”. We had two hours to climb the great wall. It took us 45 minutes (with stops along the way to take pictures) to reach the top of the mountain over the valley. On the way up we thought we would have to stop and give some people CPR.. It was a long climb, well over 880-meters.

After the great wall we went to lunch, and stuffed our face again. Then headed to the Temple of Heaven. The number 9 was of great significance, every thing was in multiples of 9. The Temple of Heaven was used for religious ceremonies and sacrifices. No women where allowed in The Temple of Heaven. There three platforms and there where two walls around the whole place; circle was the earth and the square was heaven. 

Geoff and Rebecca (our Guide)

Circular Mound

Path to the Temple of Heaven

To Pass through this door you had to be over 70 years old. Only one Emperor has used this door.

OFF TO XIAN

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I got my leg work out for the day. On the way back our legs started to shake as we climbed down.

Top of the Great Wall

 Echo Wall was before the Temple of Heaven; if you where to stand in the middle of the Echo Walls and speak the people thought they where heard better by the gods. The path that lead to the Temple of Heaven was inclining up the whole way signifying you where traveling to heaven.

Imperial Vault surrounded by Echo Wall

Temple of Heaven

After this we went to dinner where we had a personal room and waiter to serve us food. It was kind of awkward as he just stood in the room with us as we talked. The dessert of sweetened bean curd was the main dessert of the Chinese people, which was very bland. Plates of Fruit seem to be the most common dessert. Returned to the hotel and fell asleep at 1900, very tired.